Skin Types According to Ayurveda: Vata Skin, Pitta Skin & Kapha Skin

If you are wondering “what is my dosha skin type?” Here is your guide for skin types according to Ayurveda and Ayurvedic treatment for skin types

In Ayurveda, there are three types of body/skin – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha (Ayurvedic Doshas resemble types of body structure and their properties). The Ayurvedic therapies and food are suggested to the practitioner as per their skin type. So, before undertaking an Ayurveda treatment or trying an Ayurvedic home remedy, you must know about your skin type.

Skin Type in Ayurvedic

There are three kinds of Ayurvedic skin – Vata, Pitta or Kapha (sometimes a combination of these doshas).

1. Vata Skin: Dry & thin skin. Dehydrated and vulnerable to weather change.
2. Pitta Skin: Chapped skin and is warm to the touch. They are more prone to freckles and have moles throughout the body skin.
3. Kapha Skin: Oily and greasy skin with thick skin surface. Easily affected by the sunrays.

Apart from these three skin types, there are “Combination Skin” types which can be:

1. Vata-Pitta: Skin which is both dry and sensitive.
2. Kapha-Pitta: Skin which is oily and sensitive.
3. Vata-Kapha: Skin which is dry but with oily texture.

Vata Skin Type in Ayurveda

For Vata Skin people, it’s best to keep their skin hydrated. They should sleep on time and eat regular meals. Other Ayurvedic suggestions for Vata Skin are:

1. Nourish your skin by consuming milk and green leafy vegetables.
2. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and lukewarm water every night.
3. Drink plenty of seasonal fruit juice.
4. Consume ghee or butter in your diet.
5. Apply moisturizer to keep skin hydrated.

Pitta Skin Type in Ayurveda

The Pitta Skin type is very sensitive and they must follow these Ayurvedic guidelines:

1. Keep your skin away from harsh weather conditions.
2. Don’t use synthetic cosmetics or oil.
3. Avoid hot and spicy food.
4. Eat lots of fruits and milk every day.
5. Use ghee to cleanse and moisturize the skin.

Kapha Skin Type in Ayurveda

Kapha Skin is thick and oily. They must undergo detoxification on a regular basis. Some other Ayurvedic guidelines to follow for Kapha Skin are:

1. Don’t consume sweet food or oily food.
2. Exercise daily to improve the blood circulation.
3. Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits on a daily basis.
4. Cleanse your skin twice a day. Use herbal products to detoxify the skin.
5. Such people should go for Ayurvedic oil-massage once in a month.

The Ayurveda believes that to have a beautiful & flawless skin, we must nurture the inner-self on cellular level. Right food is utmost important for the flawless looking skin. The best kind of food provides proper nourishment to the skin cells which helps reduce impurities and dead skin.

The food habits are different for three Doshas.

1. Vata Dosha: Such people, natural warm foods are must and they should avoid coffee and tea.
2. Pitta Dosha: Such people should opt for food with cooling properties. They should also consume plenty of water and avoid intake of alcohol, spicy & oily foods.
3. Kapha Dosha: Such people should eat organic vegetables and fruits having bitter and pungent flavors.

Ayurvedic Remedies to Cleanse Skin

Using ubtan is the best way to cleanse the skin. Anyone can make the ubtan by mixing equal parts of chickpea flour (besan) which is a natural exfoliant and dry milk powder (can use raw milk) which is an excellent nourishing agent for the skin. Mix this well and apply this paste over wet skin. Scrub it gently, rinse off and pat dry the skin.

Ayurvedic Remedies to Nourish and Moisturize the Skin

Making Ayurvedic body oil is very easy. To make one for yourself, mix 250ml of Almond oil with 100 drops of essential oil. Note that the essential oil will depend on the kind of your Dosha/Skin type. For Vata Skin (dry skin) use sweet orange essential oil or geranium essential oil; for Pitta Skin (sensitive skin) use jasmine essential oil or sandalwood essential oil and for Kapha Skin (oily skin) use lavender essential oil or bergamot essential oil.

Once the Ayurvedic body oil is ready, massage your whole body. It enhances the complexion and the luster of the skin on cellular level.

Ayurvedic Facial Care Remedies

One must cleanse, nourish, and moisturize the facial skin on a daily basis. Scrub your face skin with lukewarm water and pat dry the face. You must do this on a daily basis. Make an Ayurvedic ubtan (see above) and scrub the face. Last, massage the face with a few drops of essential oil.

Things to Avoid for Beautiful Skin

Follow these tips to keep your skin flawless:

1. Don’t consume too much oily or raw food.
2. Don’t eat meals at irregular times.
3. Don’t eat heavy during dinner time.
4. Avoid canned or frozen food.
5. Don’t skin bath on a daily basis.
6. Don’t apply too much cosmetics or perfume or deodorant on your skin.
7. Do not consume incompatible foods such as milk and fruit (fruits are digested quickly, but milk takes time), cold drinks after a meal and ghee and honey.

Follow these great tips to get a flawless skin.